US President Donald Trump has extended the restriction requiring a $100,000 payment for certain H-1B visa petitions for another year, keeping the measure in place until September 21, 2027. The policy is particularly significant for Indian professionals, who account for the largest share of approved H-1B beneficiaries.
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$100,000 H-1B Payment Extended Until 2027
The White House said the restriction, initially introduced in September 2025, applies to certain H-1B specialty-occupation workers who are outside the United States and seeking entry into the country.
The latest proclamation extends the restriction for 12 months from September 21, 2026. It also allows the US Department of Homeland Security to make exceptions when hiring particular workers, companies or groups is considered to be in the national interest.
The payment is not a blanket charge on every worker. Existing holders and certain foreign graduates already in the US are not covered in the same way, while routine renewals are also distinct from the new-entry restriction.
Why Indians Are Particularly Affected
The H-1B programme is widely used by US employers to recruit skilled foreign professionals, particularly in technology, engineering and other specialised fields.
According to USCIS data cited by Hindustan Times, 71% of approved H-1B beneficiaries in fiscal year 2024 were born in India, compared with around 12% from China. This makes Indian professionals the largest beneficiary group under the programme.
For Indian professionals outside the US who receive opportunities requiring entry into the country, the continued payment requirement could therefore affect employers’ hiring decisions and the cost associated with sponsoring certain workers.
H-1B Fee Faces Legal Challenges
The extension comes as the $100,000 requirement continues to face legal challenges in US courts.
